New study sheds light on lily toxicity in cats—outpatient treatment may be viable option

A study published recently in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has revealed new insights into the treatment of cats exposed to toxic lilies, offering hope for pet owners facing this common household hazard.

The study, titled “Prevalence of acute kidney injury and outcome in cats treated as inpatients versus outpatients following lily exposure” and conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, investigated the outcomes of 112 cats treated for lily exposure, comparing cats treated as inpatients with intravenous fluids to those managed as outpatients with subcutaneous fluids.

Contrary to previous beliefs, the study found no significant difference in the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) between inpatient (46.9%) and outpatient (43.8%) groups. This challenges the long-held assumption that hospitalization with intravenous fluids is always necessary for lily-exposed cats and marks a significant step forward in understanding and managing lily toxicity in cats, potentially expanding treatment options and improving outcomes for feline patients.

“Our findings suggest that outpatient management may be a viable option for some cats exposed to lilies,” says Dr. Erica Reineke, professor of emergency and critical care, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and one of the authors of the study. “This could be particularly relevant for pet owners with financial limitations, lack of access to 24-hour veterinary facilities or other cat specific factors.”

The researchers caution that their findings should not be interpreted as definitive treatment recommendations. Larger, controlled studies are needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for managing lily toxicity in cats.

Dr. Reineke added that the study also revealed a higher overall prevalence of AKI in both groups compared to previous reports. However, many cats with AKI showed improvement or stabilization of their condition, and the overall survival rate was excellent.

While inpatient cats had a 100% survival rate compared to an 87.5% survival rate for outpatient cats, this difference—though statistically significant—suggests that outpatient treatment can still lead to favorable outcomes in many cases.

Dr. Reineke emphasized that “it’s crucial for cat owners to understand that all parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats. Prompt veterinary attention is essential, regardless of the treatment approach.”

For cat owners, the study underscores the importance of lily awareness and quick action in case of exposure. It also offers hope that with proper veterinary guidance, various treatment options may be available depending on individual circumstances.